The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations apply to electric plugs, sockets and adaptors designed for domestic use at a voltage of not less than 50 volts and to fuse links suitable for use with such plugs and adaptors with the exception of certain electrical devices listed in Schedule 1. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1975 cease to apply to such plugs, sockets, adaptors and fuse links. The Regulations do not apply to plugs or sockets constructed internally in appliances where the plug cannot be engaged with or disengaged from the socket without something first being done to the appliance which requires the use of tools or to the extent that it is not practicable to conform to a British Standard listed in Schedule 3 (regulation 3).

Standard three pin plugs are required after 1st September 1988 to be approved by a person specified in Schedule 2 (specified person) (regulation 5). Until then they must conform to British Standard 1363: 1984, or provide an equivalent level of safety. Other electrical devices specified in column 2 of Schedule 3 to these Regulations are required to conform to the appropriate British Standard or be so approved (regulation 6). Applications may be made for approval on payment of the prescribed fee. Approvals have to be given subject to a condition requiring the applicant to give notice of changes in the devices and may be altered or cancelled. Provision is made for an applicant for an approval to make representations to the specified person, where that person is minded to refuse an approval or to alter or cancel it, and for him to appeal to the Secretary of State if he is aggrieved by a decision of the specified person. The Regulations also make provision as to the persons by whom such appeals may be heard and other matters connected with such appeals (regulations 7 and 8).

Provision is also made for certain information to be given in relation to electrical devices to which the Regulations apply (regulation 9).

The Regulations prohibit persons from supplying, offering to supply, agreeing to supply, exposing for supply or possessing for supply any such electrical device which does not comply with any requirement of the Regulations (regulation 4).

Copies of the British Standards referred to in the Regulations, and of Publication 7 referred to in paragraph 4 of Schedule 1, may be obtained from any of the sales outlets operated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) or by post from the BSI at Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LE.